28 December 2013 Christmas has gone without Derry, he spent the day being driven to find a hospital with space to insert a drain into his chest, but before he could he managed to cough up the worst of it and it was decided to let it heal, however his BP remained high and what was put down to the chest infection now appeared to be the bipolar meds! So it was back to changing meds. The new meds have been hard to stomach - literally! leading to 2 days of vomiting, shakes and blurred vision, trying to find the right medication for mental illnesses seems to be very difficult with so many unwanted side effects. Once they appear to be working there is still the worry that they may not fully suppress the mania and depression, only time will tell.
The waiting seems endless, Derry Paul Hughes get well soon.

18th December 2013 - Still waiting impatiently for Derry Hughes. Diagnosis seems to be bipolar, he is now finding out what medication suits him best once that is sorted he should be home, he better be, Christmas is getting close and I spent last Christmas alone as he went through the same thing, except then they treated him for anxiety and depression, maybe this time the diagnosis is right, it would seem that the darker shorter days of winter make many people depressed, bipolars have mood swings, periods of normal, highs and lows, with the lows often being taken as depression.

Christmas day 2013, Derry Paul Hughes is still not home, now the medications seem to be alright the man-flu becomes a chest infection which worsens to Pleural empyema! Now it is mega doses of anti-biotics and oxygen therapy, out of four christmas days as a couple we have only been together on christmas day once! Fate keeps repeating itself over and over, what are the odds of that?

Derry Hughes, At last you shared your dark secret, perhaps now you will heal.
No one needs to walk alone in the darkness, step into the light - it waits.

Time drags ...... I get so cross at how I am not informed about your treatment, I know it is because we are not married, you say that we will be married soon so next time it will be different, I still hope there will not be a next time.

Dec 4 2013 After so long you were allowed to visit, I could see you were not fully recovered but a lot better, so nice to have some time together and ease the pressure of being apart, this is the first step to your coming home which is wonderful. I know that mental illness will always be a risk, that at times you may  again do things completely out of character as you have done, somehow I have to learn the signs and know what to do.

Christmas day 2013, Derry Paul Hughes is still not home, now the medications seem to be alright the man-flu becomes a chest infection which worsens to Pleural empyema! Now it is mega doses of anti-biotics and oxygen therapy, out of four christmas days as a couple we have only been together on christmas day once! Fate keeps repeating itself over and over, what are the odds of that?

Derri52 aka Derry Paul Hughes why do things happen to you? Why the darkness of mental health problems? So many breakdowns without complete cure, Just when we were on the brink of good times and the peace of mind so needed! Once more my wait begins, this time in a flat in Swindon, Wiltshire, which is now our home so lovingly decorated and furnished by you. The 10 months since your last breakdown have been so happy but you had to work too hard, I know you did it for us, but by doing so you tipped into the darkness again. You bought me so much, the gifts, the art equipment, so many clothes, you really spoilt me, but if I had it to do again I would rather not have it and have you well.